WAIPORI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XI, Issue 792, 20 July 1878, Page 3

WAIPORI.

Our local preacher has resumed preaching. His conditions are, that his preaching is not to be called in question — at least, not by novices. He states that he did not object to criticism by any one qualified to judge. I think his congregation were rather astonished to Bee him here on Sunday last, as he was advertised to be in Lawrence on that day. Mr Baumber was to have been here. It had the appearance to some of Mr R.s friends ? as if they had been caught. King frost still keeps possession. The Nil Desperandum Co. have not been in full work since the mine was flooded. After the water was pumped, it was found that the end of the drive had come together. This will take some time to open out. Another rise will have to be put up on the north side of it. Edward Hill and party are working the south end of the old Pioneer Reef on tribute. There is no doubt that the stone will pay them fair wages, and it will be the means of prospecting the mine on that end of the reef. The road between here and Lawrence is still impassable for dray traffic. The roadman is just pntting in his time round here instead of clearing the cuttings of snow. Our dominie conducts school on a paying, if not a novel system. Teachers are now paid according to average attendance each day the school is opened. Now,, when the weather is any way rough, and fifteen or sixteeiypupils only show up at the time school should be opened, they are told that the school will not be opened on that day. Another plan is, when there are between twenty and thirty in the morning, all those who want a half holiday are asked to put aown their names. Strange to relate, a' majority want a holiday, and they get it. By these means the average attendance is sure to be large. 1 do not know what the Committee are about ; they are not doing their duty in allowing such things. There is another matter their attention should" be drawn to — viz., the Act provides for vocal music and drill being taught ; these subjects appear to be overlooked here. There is one fact patent to all, and that is — the Committees have either too little power to prevent abuses of the Act, or else they, are not competent to see them carried out. If the former is correct, they should have more powers than they now possess— or else school committees should be abolished ; if they are not competent, others should be elected in their stead. The Library Committee have called a public meeting for Saturday night, when it is to be hoped a more healthy and creditable course of action will be decided upon than lias been carried out for some years. ,